der
Geringverdiener
👨💼 What exactly is a Geringverdiener?
The term der Geringverdiener refers to a male person who earns a relatively low income. The exact income threshold that defines someone as a Geringverdiener often depends on the context and can relate to legal definitions (e.g., in social or tax law) or general statistical classifications.
It is a noun composed of gering (low, small) and Verdiener (someone who earns money). The female form is die Geringverdienerin.
⚠️ Attention: The term can sometimes be perceived as derogatory, although it is often used neutrally in economic or socio-political discussions.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Male characters → always masculine.
Caution: Most professions also have their feminine forms (e.g. die Polizistin). Some words can also have two forms: der/die Deutsche, der/die Kranke.
-ner → almost always masculine.
Compare with the category '-er'.
-er → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. almost all -euer nouns are neutral. 3. There are many -er words, we don't list them all.
🧐 Grammar under the Microscope: Der Geringverdiener
The noun 'Geringverdiener' is masculine and follows the n-declension.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Geringverdiener |
| Genitive | des | Geringverdieners |
| Dative | dem | Geringverdiener |
| Accusative | den | Geringverdiener |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Geringverdiener |
| Genitive | der | Geringverdiener |
| Dative | den | Geringverdienern |
| Accusative | die | Geringverdiener |
Example Sentences
- Der Geringverdiener hat Anspruch auf Wohngeld. (The low-income earner is entitled to housing benefit.)
- Die Steuerreform soll besonders die Geringverdiener entlasten. (The tax reform is intended to particularly relieve low-income earners.)
- Viele Politiker diskutieren über Maßnahmen zur Unterstützung von Geringverdienern. (Many politicians discuss measures to support low-income earners.)
- Das Einkommen des Geringverdieners reicht oft kaum zum Leben. (The income of the low-income earner is often barely enough to live on.)
🗣️ How to use Geringverdiener?
The term Geringverdiener is mainly used in the following contexts:
- Social policy and economics: In discussions about social justice, poverty, minimum wage, tax policy, and social benefits.
- Statistics: To describe income distributions and social strata.
- Media reporting: When reporting on economic or social issues.
It's important to note that the definition of what constitutes a 'low' income (geringes Einkommen) can vary. Sometimes it refers to income below a certain poverty line, sometimes to income below a certain percentage of the median income.
Alternative terms like Niedriglöhner (low-wage earner) might specifically target people with low hourly wages, whereas Geringverdiener considers total income.
🧠 Mnemonics for Memory
Article: The term refers to a person (der Mann, der Verdiener). Even when talking about a group, the base form is masculine: der Verdiener. Think: Der (the guy) earns only gering (little).
Meaning: It's composed of gering (low, little) and Verdiener (earner). So, logically: someone who earns little.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of Geringverdiener
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Niedriglöhner/in: Low-wage earner (focuses on hourly wage work).
- Geringbemittelte/r: Person with limited financial means (slightly broader).
- Person mit niedrigem Einkommen: Neutral, descriptive phrase (person with low income).
- Colloquial/derogatory: Arme/r Schlucker/in (poor devil/soul - very informal and potentially disrespectful).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Gutverdiener/in: Good earner, high earner.
- Besserverdiener/in: Higher earner (above average).
- Spitzenverdiener/in: Top earner, very high earner.
- Großverdiener/in: Similar to top earner.
- Reiche/r: Rich person (refers to wealth, not just income).
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Was haben Sie denn vorher verdient?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Nicht viel, deswegen bin ich ja jetzt hier!"
Translation:
The boss asks the new employee: "What did you earn before?"
The employee replies: "Not much, that's why I'm here now!"
(Relates to the topic of earnings)
📜 Poem about Daily Life
Der Wecker klingelt, früh am Tag,
für ihn beginnt die Arbeitsplag'.
Das Geld ist knapp, die Miete hoch,
der Geringverdiener kämpft sich doch.
Von Monat zu Monat, Stück für Stück,
hofft er auf ein kleines Glück.
Translation:
The alarm clock rings, early in the day,
for him the drudgery begins.
Money is tight, the rent is high,
the low-income earner struggles on, though.
From month to month, bit by bit,
he hopes for a little bit of luck.
🤔 Little Riddle
Ich arbeite viel, tagaus, tagein,
doch mein Lohnzettel ist eher klein.
Im Supermarkt muss ich oft sparen,
um über die Runden zu fahren.
Wer bin ich, in der Statistik oft genannt,
im Land bekannt?
Translation:
I work a lot, day in, day out,
but my payslip is rather small.
In the supermarket, I often have to save,
to make ends meet.
Who am I, often mentioned in statistics,
known throughout the land?
Answer: Der Geringverdiener
💡 Other Information
Word Composition
The word Geringverdiener is a compound noun, made up of:
- gering: Adjective meaning 'low', 'small', 'insignificant'.
- Verdiener: Noun derived from the verb 'verdienen' (to earn), meaning 'earner', a person who earns income.
Female Form
The corresponding female form is die Geringverdienerin (plural: die Geringverdienerinnen).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Geringverdiener?
The word 'Geringverdiener' refers to a male low-income earner and takes the article der. The female equivalent is 'die Geringverdienerin'.